Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Jan. 12, 2016

Joliet West is clearly one of the area’s most talented teams. But the Tigers have lost four of their last five games. I’ve seen this before, the post-Pontiac hangover. It typically happens when a team loses two games on the last day of the tournament, which Joliet did.

Thornton just stepped up at the end of the game and took control.I may have underestimated the Wildcats after seeing them for the first time on Friday night. I always say it takes two times seeing a team to really get them, should probably listen to my own advice.

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Tonight’s top games

No. 6 Bogan 79, No. 21 Vocational 44: James Jones stays hot with 23 points. This is a rough result for the Cavaliers. Losing to the Red-South powers is one thing, getting dominated might mean they leave the Super 25.

Prairie Ridge 71, No. 25 Grayslake North 53: For three days the Knights were a Super 25 team.

No. 5 Kenwood 62, Hyde Park 44: The Thunderbirds played without big man Tajuan Agee. He is out for four weeks with a broken toe. Nick Robinson led the Broncos with 14 points, 11 rebounds.

Loyola 47, St. Patrick 27: Finally, some signs of life from the Ramblers. The Shamrocks are a good team.

No. 11 Marian Catholic 53, Mount Carmel 45: A very nice win for the Spartans who just maybe have turned the corner.

Plainfield North 61, Oswego 54: Anyone that watched Plainfield North at Pontiac is not surprised by this result. The Tigers are a dynamic, exciting team. Oswego is Super 25 caliber, so this is a statement win for 9-7 Plainfield North. Kevin Krieger topped 30 again, had 32.

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Didn’t do the usual Monday notebook, so here is the POY watch a day late:

Charlie Moore, Morgan Park: He was huge in the first game this season against Simeon. An encore performance in the Battle of Vincennes on Saturday would strengthen his case as the POY favorite.

Nick Rakocevic, St. Joseph: Led the way with 16 points in a loss to national power Wastach Academy from Utah on Saturday. The Chargers have more than enough big games left this season for him to give Moore a push.

Zach Norvell, Simeon: He’s putting up the numbers in big games all over the country. The candidacy starts to get serious if he can lead the Wolverines to a win over Morgan Park.

Justin Pierce, Glenbard West: He’s back after scoring 34 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the Hilltoppers’ big win against Oak Park-River Forest. He’s putting up the scoring numbers of Moore with the rebound numbers of Rakocevic and has his team unbeaten.